A training center for F-16 fighter pilots has been opened in the Romanian city of Fetesti. Romanian pilots will begin training tomorrow; there is no exact start date for Ukrainians yet, but this will happen “in the near future,” said Dutch Defense Minister Ollongren.
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The Netherlands will provide 12 to 18 fighter jets for training. There will be 16 training programs. At the base they will not only train pilots from scratch, but also conduct advanced training courses, the Public correspondent reports.
The center was opened by Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tilvar and his Dutch counterpart Kaisa Ollongren. The European F-16 Training Center (EFTC) will be based at Borcea Air Base near Fetesti, 150 km from Bucharest.
The Netherlands is offering between 12 and 18 fighters for the program, which also includes Romanian pilots. A week ago, the first five F-16 aircraft from the Netherlands arrived in Romania to participate in this training program. F-16 manufacturer Lockheed is providing instructors and maintenance personnel.
It is unclear when Ukraine will actually be able to deploy combat aircraft in the combat zone, as previously planned. It is expected that pilot training will take at least six months.
Romania itself has 17 F-16 fighter jets, which the country purchased from Portugal. They have to be modernized. Romania also purchased 32 F-16 fighter jets from Norway, the first eight of which Defense Minister Tilvar estimates should be delivered this year.
Source: Racurs
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